Low-level dealers in Dublin jails are taking advantage of the gap left by members of the Kinahan and Hutch gangs by selling drugs in their place.

The criminal outfits, who are locked up in Wheatfield and Mountjoy, once ruled the lucrative trade with an iron fist, according to sources.

But since the majority of them and their associates were put into protection and isolated from the general prison population for fear of attack, small-time criminals are now stepping into their place.

A source said: “Members and close associates of the Kinahan and Hutch gangs used to be the only ones selling drugs in the prisons.

“However, since going to war against each other they have asked to be placed in protection for their own safety and therefore haven’t got the chance to organise deals. Over the last few weeks it has become a free-for-all and low-level dealers, who would have once not dared sell for fear of the Kinahan and Hutch mobs, are dealing freely.

“The gang members are obviously losing out on the cash but they believe that their lives are more important.

“With the way that things are going nobody is safe and those affiliated with either of the two gangs are not willing to take the chance.”